NEWS AND UPDATE

To:	All Staff Members and Course Participants
From:	Timothy Fong
Date:	9 December 2005
Subject:	Precautionary Measures in Preparation of Potential Outbreak of Bird Flu

Dear Colleagues and Students,

In view of the growing concerns over the potential human influenza pandemic caused by the recent outbreak of H5N1 Bird Flu in Asian and European countries, Management has taken immediate action to set up a special Task Force on Bird Flu in November 2005 to closely monitor and assess the impact caused by the influenza, and coordinate with various internal units to develop contingency measures. I am writing to update you with the latest development and seek your support and cooperation in maintaining a clean and healthy environment on our offices and training centres.

Since November 2005, the Task Force has taken the following precautionary measures:

‧	Developed a website, http://www.hkma.org.hk/bird_flu, to facilitate dissemination of updated information on Bird Flu to staff members and course participants, including the latest training centre arrangements, health tips, notices and links to other relevant websites;
‧	Purchased face masks and special personal protective devices; a central stock will be maintained to cover the daily use of both staff members and courses participants;
‧	Stepped up hygienic measures at the Association's various training centres;
‧	Strengthened hygienic control on catering services.

We would like to call upon your full co-operation, as a member of the Association, in the following areas:

(a)	Observe good personal hygienic practices (please refer to the health tips at the above website);
(b)	Take your body temperature daily;
(c)	Seek medical advice and stay home in case you have a fever or are not feeling well;
(d)	Wear face mask when you have respiratory tract infection symptoms; and
(e)	Wash your hands before meals, after sneezing, coughing or cleaning the nose, visiting public facilities, etc.

Let us work conscientiously to maintain a clean and healthy environment on our offices and training centres.

Timothy Fong
Chairman of Special Task Force on Bird Flu